The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver
by Gene Barretta
illustrated by Frank Morrison
Reader's Theater (coming soon)
Informational Resources:
Author Information:
Author Information-
Gene Barretta:
https://www.genebarretta.com/about/
Illustrator Information-
Frank Morrison:
Activities & Resources:
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver Video | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum (2:12):
George Washington Carver National Monument:
https://www.nps.gov/gwca/index.htm
Botany
Botany Basics (4:34):
https://klru.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/botany-basics/botany-basics/
Invention Collage
George Washington Carver invented over 300 uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans. Create a collage from magazine pictures that feature products Carver invented.
DIY Chia Pet:
https://frugalfamilyhome.com/home/diy/diy-chia-pet
DIY Fairy Garden:
https://livingwellmom.com/diy-fairy-house-kids/
Botany Scavenger Hunt:
https://ellenjmchenry.com/botany-scavenger-hunt/
Did you know you can make your own, homemade seed paper you can plant?:
Cooking
Sweet Potato Pie:
https://www.parenting.com/food-recipes/sweet-potato-pie/
Cooking Sweet Potatoes Like George Washington Carver:
MakerSpace Activities:
Pretend you are a botanist that has discovered a new type of plant. Using the diorama template, highlight the characteristics and uses for your new plant:
http://ilove2teach.blogspot.com/2011/10/create-animal-create-plant-freebie.html
Planetopia Plants STEM Challenge:
https://www.feelgoodteaching.com/2018/03/planetopia-plants-stem-challenge.html
Create a 3D plant cell with materials from your home. See how creative you can be.
Stem Challenge: Pollinators:
Growing,Growing,Gone! An Experiment on Nitrogen Fertilizers: One of Carver’s great contributions was teaching farmers in the South about crop rotation. The soil in many areas was very poor because of years of cultivating cotton, which took nitrogen out of the soil. Carver instead taught them to grow nitrogen-rich plants like peanuts and sweet potatoes.
Discussion Questions:
Based on the title and cover of the book, what are some predictions you can make about the story?
Why did people tell George that growing flowers was a waste of time? Do you agree or disagree? Explain your opinion.
Even though slavery had ended, why was George unable to attend school with the white children?
Why did George feel the need to keep his garden a secret?
What changed George’s mind about keeping the garden a secret?
What was the advice Mariah Watkins gave to George? Give examples of how he followed her advice.
Describe a time where you were given good advice. Did you follow it?
What are some personal characteristic traits of George Washington Carver? Find text evidence in the book that demonstrates these personal characteristic traits.
Describe some of the obstacles George Washinton Carver faced during his lifetime.
Describe something you learned in this book that can help you in life.
Share a favorite quote from the book. Why did this quote stand out?
The end of this book has a timeline of George Washington Carver's life. What would be on your own timeline?
Read the timeline at the end of the book. Point out some things that are in the timeline, but aren’t mentioned in the book.
Explain why the author did not include some of the timeline events in the text of the book.
What did George Washington Carver mean when he said “Regard nature. Revere nature. Respect Nature.” ?
What artist would you choose to illustrate this book? What kinds of illustrations would you include?
Book Talk Teasers:
Read the Reader’s Theater for The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver.
Watch the book trailer on the Texas Bluebonnet Award website.
Read Alikes:
George Washington Carver
Driscoll, Laura. George Washington Carver: The Peanut Wizard. A fictional student's report presents information on George Washington Carver, who became an expert on peanuts and other plants and taught others at the famous college for African Americans, Tuskegee Institute. (NoveList Plus)
Grigsby, Susan. In the Garden with Dr. Carver. A fictionalized account of how plant scientist George Washington Carver came to an Alabama school and taught the children how to grow plants and reap the rewards of nature's bounty. Includes factual note about George Washington Carver. (NoveList Plus)
Jazynka, Kitson. George Washington Carver. Leveled text and engaging photos introduce young students to the history of peanut butter and its inventor, describing how George Washington Carver did important work with peanuts and other plants to create an American favorite. (NoveList Plus)
Marzollo, Jean. The Little Plant Doctor: a story about George Washington Carver. A biography of George Washington Carver, whose scientific research revolutionized the economy of the South. (NoveList Plus)
Innovators in Science
Kamkwamba, William. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. William Kamkwamba was born in a poor Malawi village. His innovation, intelligence, and desire for change drove him to build a windmill from scrap parts. His books tell the story of his village and the challenges he faced in building the windmill. He and his story are inspirational and proof and any single person can evoke great progress. (NoveList Plus)
Kirkfield, Vivian. Sweet dreams, Sarah: From Slavery to Inventor. Describes the life of Sarah Goode, who was born a slave and grew up to invent a space-saving foldable bed and became the first African American woman to obtain a patent in the United States. (NoveList Plus)
Krull, Kathleen. Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson. Presents a biography of science superstar Neil deGrasse Tyson, the groundbreaking American astrophysicist whose work has inspired a generation of young scientists and astronomers to reach for the stars. (NoveList Plus)
Reviews:
Barretta, Gene. The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen. 2020.
Booklist
The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver. (Starrred)
Beretta, Gene (Author). Illus. by Frank Morrison.
Jan. 2020. 40p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen, $17.99 (9780062430151). PreS-Grade 3. 630.92.
REVIEW. First published December 1, 2019 (Booklist).
George Washington Carver addresses a room full of white U.S. congressmen on the value of the peanut. Though initially met with racist derision, he quickly earns their respect. The scene then shifts to his childhood; born into slavery in 1864, Carver lost both parents before freedom came the following year. Childless, his former owners raised him and his brother as their own. Carver, who loved flowers, created a secret garden in the woods, watering his plants, talking to them, and experimenting. Eventually, he began taking in his neighbors’ sickly flowers, becoming “the plant doctor.” At 12 years old, Carver left home to pursue a good education, and he found success despite poverty and racial prejudice. Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly, experimenting, learning, and sharing his knowledge with others. In an expressive picture book that focuses on the subject’s childhood more than his later accomplishments, Barretta creates a strong impression of Carver’s delight in nature, drive to learn, and sense of purpose. The oil paintings by Morrison, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor recipient, reinforce those impressions with glorious scenes of the woodland garden as well as sensitive, dignified portrayals of Carver—both the boy and the man. A biography illuminating the path, chosen in childhood, that Carver continued to follow. — Carolyn Phelan
Reprinted with Permission of Booklist https://www.booklistonline.com/
School Library Journal (December 1, 2019)
PreS-Gr 3-George Washington Carver is best known as an agricultural expert who discovered versatile uses for the peanut. This story focuses on his first garden. Hidden beneath the trees where no one could tease or belittle him, Carver studied nature and the "more he experimented, the more he learned." The narrative starts in 1921 with Carver addressing Congress on the importance of the peanut and impressing an audience of white men at a time when "African- Americans were...treated assecond-class citizens." Readers are then transported back to 1874, to the Missouri farm where Carver was born into slavery, and then to the end of slavery and the planting of his first garden. The narrative then focuses on Carver's determined search for education and finally his work as a teacher at the Tuskegee Institute. The beautiful oil on board illustrations show the wonder of young Carver as he contemplates the petals on a flower or the first green sprouts of spring. Barretta's prose, combined with Morrison's art, fully illuminates the depth of Carter's considerable contributions to the science of agriculture, the farming community, and racial equality. Back matter includes a time line of Carver's life, a bibliography, and suggestions for further reading. VERDICT A well-thought-out biography that highlights a different side of Carver and will be a first purchase for school and public library collections.-Suzanne Costner, Fairview Elementary School, Maryville, TN © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Reprinted with permission from School Library Journal, 2019. http://www.slj.com.
Book Trailer
George Washington Carver.mp4Author & Illustrator Interview
Gene Barretta.mp4Frank Morrison-illustrator.mp4